| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
Finally got new shoes for the XT. After putting two new sets of Angel ST's and getting between 6 and 8K with each pair, decided to try something new in an attempt to get more bang for da buck. Impressions after 500 miles: -They feel heavy. Has the neutral steering that you find with any new tires before the scourge of commuters everywhere-flat spotting- occurs, but they feel heavy. Put another way, if the Pirelli Angels are a mix of guinness and woodchuck amber cider aka a "chuckee" or a "snake bite", a light, perhaps nimble and tasty concoction with a slight bite, the PR2's are plain guinness, but not the bubbly stuff that comes out of the draught can, the thick stuff from the bottle. Heavy, not creamy, and even a bit bitter. We've inflated the PR2's slightly higher than recommended PSI, and they feel better today than the first three days I used them, but feel different than the Angels. So early after getting them mounted, I did not have big confidence on them my first couple trips into work where I usually yuk it up just a little and lean on the entrance and exit ramps. But today they felt a little better and I took those turns in a slightly more spirited fashion and felt good about it. On the ride home, I dodged some lightning and hit a little rain, and they seemed fine on wet pavement. No pucker moments like on the blast with OEM dunlops so that is good news. I will keep y'all posted on the mileage, we are setting our expectations high (maybe 8 to 10K). Have others here made the transition from Angels to PR2's? If so, what have been your impressions? | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
"Put another way, if the Pirelli Angels are a mix of guinness and woodchuck amber cider aka a "chuckee" or a "snake bite", a light, perhaps nimble and tasty concoction with a slight bite, the PR2's are plain guinness, but not the bubbly stuff that comes out of the draught can, the thick stuff from the bottle. Heavy, not creamy, and even a bit bitter." In the future, your rubber/beer comparison will be the standard against which all other tire reviews are measured in my eyes. Very nice  | ||
| Etennuly |
I never had the pleasure of having the Angels. On my heavily laden Uly I have seen 11500 on a rear PR II. I went from the D616 to the Scorpion Syncs, a good improvement, but both only making 6000 miles, then I went on to the PR II. I found that the PR IIs turn in easier. As in approaching a corner at a faster speed than with the others they take less input to make the turn. Sometimes, when I first got them, I was actually turning too much through a corner with the same input as the other tires. If you get to the twisties with them I think you will be impressed. As for rain traction, I have not had better. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Pkforbes-Thanks for the kind words on the rubber/beer comparison. I've been working in the heat, and not wanting to dehydrate anymore than I already do working outside in FL in June, so steering clear of the guinness and woodchuck in my fridge, but they are not far from my mind. Etennuly-I am looking forward to twisty rides in the hinterlands of MN. It is excruciating that my next pass thru TN will be heading north in a cage pulling a trailered Uly. If I didn't have a timeline to adhere to, you better believe it'd be stop (the car and trailer in TN), drop (the bike gently off the trailer onto hilly terrain) and roll (on the throttle and thru those hills).  | ||
| Etennuly |
Here here and cheers! Ahhh to have the time and money to do as we wish!  | ||
| Uly_man |
Fltwistygirl. I found the PR2s bed in fast, had not "flated off" at 8k miles of 80% London work (the rest on fast roads/bends), very temp stable, good feed back and good in the wet. I also got the rear to its edge no problem. I can not fault them in any way although they do cost a little more than most. On the other hand I have NEVER had rubber that lasted more than 5k on a rear. I find them amazing. I started with Scorps, on my 06 Uly, and then Corsa 3s but the PR2s were the best. I run them (cold) with 36 front and 38 back which is plus 2-3 hot. You will find different rubber may need a slight (long boring reason) suspension re-set up. Tips. Make sure they are a std matched pair (check the type number on the side of the tyre) and that they are fitted the right way round. Yes both does happen. Before you start hitting the bends make sure all of the tyre surface is run in/clean. Your suspension is setup right but most of all that your tyre pressures are right. It is the number one thing to do. I do not know the XT or Angel rubber but these were amazing on my bike. | ||
| Riding_tall |
I love the beer comparison .. You've set a new standard for tire reviews. I like the PR2's .. about to try a PR3 front as my front is now as bad or worse that the rear pic below. Great wear about 11K on the one below, it should have been replaced about 10K, it started to wear fast near the end. mostly freeway miles. You can see the two different compounds in the photo, much better than the 616 rear that squared off at about 3K for me.  Just a random word of advise, if your going to (try) and do a burnout before putting a new tire on, be sure to remember to take your 15+lb laptop bag out of the topcase. Though dumping the clutch with weight high and over the rear wheel is a great way to do a wheelie, even if you don't want to. | ||
| Badrap |
Has anyone tried the PR3 tires? | ||
| Hughlysses |
I've got about 700 miles on my PR3's now. They definitely feel and turn in differently from the Scorpion Syncs but I've adjusted at this point. Curves are few and far between here in the lowcountry of SC, but there are a few twisty streets, mall drives, and roads if you know where to look. I have no complaints with the way the tires work there, but I really want to try them in some serious twisties. Hopefully I'll make it up to the mountains of northwestern SC, northeastern GA, or western NC in the next couple of months so I can report back. I haven't had an opportunity to try them in the rain yet, which is supposed to be where they really shine. Oh yea, in ~700 miles of mostly straight-line riding, they are showing absolutely no signs of squaring off. Syncs would have a noticeable flat strip in the middle after similar riding. That's a definite improvement. | ||
| Hangetsu |
My experience with PR3's is similar. I have about the same amount of miles with a good mix of mountain, town, and super slab riding on them and I'm pleased with their characteristics in all conditions. And as you said, many other tires would already be showing a flat spot by now and there is no such flattening on these tires so far (i'm referring primarily to the rear). I'm coming off or my third set of Metzler Roadtech Z6 Interacts and the one thing I've noticed is that a new set of Z6's handle much more responsively than the PR3, but the steep profile of new Z6's, much like a new set of Angels, thought they handle great when new, they flatten off quickly and then I find the handling very sub-par. I'm hoping the PR3's will remain more consistent throughout the life of the tire. By the way - what tire in your opinion would handle like a crisp, full-bodied Pilsner? (Message edited by Hangetsu on June 07, 2011) | ||
| Scooter808484 |
I've got about 500 miles on PR3s. I always think tire comparisons are hard since any new tire will feel hugely better than the squared off worn out piece of junk that it replaced. The first turn in on the new PR3s felt like I was going to fall right over, compared to the Syncs, i.e. turned in much quicker.) After getting used to it I really like them. Feel like I'm able to "carve" the corner much better. Routinely take my old 22 mph corners on the way to work at 27 mph. After 500 miles they still look new. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Not a Uly owner, but I'll chime in. I've got PR2s on my S3T. There's about 7kmi on them now, and that includes a coast-to-coast trip with many hours at high speeds in high temps and straight roads. Wear wise, the front is starting to get that raised center effect - I've had it happen on every single tire I've ever owned, so I'm not complaining. The rear has flattened out some, but not too bad. The tread in the center is getting pretty thin, but still has some life left. I'm hoping it will last me the rest of this season (no real big trips planned). I haven't ridden a ton in the rain, but these tires have literally never slipped on me, wet or dry pavement. I don't hammer the bike as hard as some, but it gets used good none the less. They feel great - I wouldn't use "heavy" anywhere in my write up - as others suggested, suspension changes can compensate for much for that. My old tires were a mix-matched and improper-sized pair, so a comparison is even more moot than if they were just a worn out set. I plan on trying PR3s next as I've liked these PR2s so much | ||
| Hughlysses |
Mark- according to what we've read, the PR3's use the exact same rubber compounds as the PR2's so they should wear about the same. The new tread pattern is supposed to improve their grip in the rain even further. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Hmm... well, if that's the case then I may just stay with the PR2s if there is enough of a price difference. I have zero complaints on the wet traction. | ||
| Uly_man |
You guys in the US seem to do more straight line miles than us UK/EU people. Stuff like this, for us, is not only illegal but also dangerous in the wet. The middle is close to a slick tyre and well past the wear limits. In the UK you could have your ticket taken away for this and they would take your bike off the road as well.  | ||
| Xl1200r |
Uly_man - that tire is WAY beyond illegal, even here. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
"In the UK you could have your ticket taken away for this and they would take your bike off the road as well." Yeah, that's what all that VAT socialism will get ya...  | ||
| Ourdee |
 Starts getting hard to turn in. | ||
| Jphish |
PR's I think are the best 'road' tire out there. Did 14K mi on PR2 rear on cross country trip - front still had 5K mi left. Excellent rain / road tire. Once you scrub them in - twisty traction is very good. Just stay out of the mud. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I run 616s on my Uly because of all the dirt I do...but I have PR2's on my S2, 7k miles and they look new and handle great. I've hit standing water in rainstorms with them, and never had any issues. I just put PR3's on my S1W and, as noted above, they turn in SUPER-fast. More like they "drop in" to turns. But...now that I'm used to it I'm getting a LOT further over on that bike than I ever have. Truly confidence-inspiring. Good stuff. | ||
| Badrap |
Who has the best prices for the PR2's? | ||
| Badrap |
I checked an Jakewilson.com is the cheapest. | ||
| Eulysses |
My question is carcass thickness. I am inevitably off on some backcountry gravel road with a load, playing Lewis and Clark. My Syncs were paper thin and got punctured by sharp rocks. Looking for a thicker carcass. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Scorpion trails are supposed to have a beefier carcass than the Syncs. I just mounted a set for my upcoming New England trip as I plan on doing some off pavement excursions. They handle really well on the pavement,no chicken strips left after 100miles. I'll give a full report when I return. | ||
| Druelly |
Nittany, Hit the Hill climb on Wednesday if you have time. It is located at Gunstock Mntn. Also have a ride around the big Lake. No I can't spell it but it something like Winnepasauke. Sad since I grew up about 1 hour south of it. Also Kangamangus Highway. Both great rides. I assume you are going for bike week? Broken Spoke is a great place for a beverage. That is at the boardwalk of Weirs Beach. If you are going for Bike Week, please be careful there are a lot of stupid drunk (and I mean DRUNK)bikers around that area this time of year! Druelly | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Druelly,your spelling isn't too far off! Thanks for the hill climb tip. I do have a route planned which includes a loop around the lake and the Kanc of course. Went to college in Plymouth so I'm familiar with a lot of NH. Avoiding bike week like the plague,not my thing. |
